Tillman Has Earned A Promotion, But Will Likely Wait To Receive One

The Orioles find themselves in an interesting scenario with their starting rotation. It’s one that we argued about at length during this week’s BSR Podcast.

Here’s the low down:

Chris Tillman has put together three straight quality starts at Triple-A Norfolk. On Wednesday, he gave up two earned runs on one hit, struck out seven and walked one over 6 2/3 innings pitched. His previous start at Pawtucket was even more impressive; 8 innings, one hit, zero earned runs, one walk and nine strikeouts.

He looks like the guy to replace Tommy Hunter and perhaps even Opening Day starter Jake Arrieta at this point.

Arrieta takes the hill tonight against the Phillies and will likely determine his fate based on how he performs. Saturday’s starter has still not been announced, though it has been hinted that the Orioles will use a spot starter from the pen.

With Monday’s offday, the Orioles won’t need a starter for the backend of their rotation until Thursday and Friday of next week. That means they’ll likely be in a wait and see mode.
Will Zach Britton’s next Triple-A start earn him a call up? Is Chris Tillman deserving of a rotation spot at this point? Can Tommy Hunter fight his way back to the bigs? And what can Jamie Moyer provide for the Orioles?

It’ll be a fun week. Hopefully the O’s can keep their heads above water as they try and answer these many questions.

Zach Wilt is the Founding Editor of BaltimoreSportsReport.com and host of the BSR Podcast. He's a loyal Orioles, Ravens and Capitals fan who is obsessed with baseball, loves traveling, In-N-Out Burger and Walt Disney World.

Our mission is to provide the best local sports commentary in the Baltimore area. We love the Baltimore area and all its teams, but we like adding a fair counterweight to the dialogue just as much. In other words, we take jabs because we care.